Book excerpt: Since Emer de Vattel’s (1714-1767) pioneerering work on the importance of the protection of cultural property in the interests of mankind and human society, international law has broadened the scope and strengthened protection in these areas. However, it is the work of UNESCO and it’s original mission of producing international instruments that has, in recent years, enhanced the protection and safeguarding of various types of cultural heritage. Providing an overview of the seven Conventions with the two Protocols adopted by UNESCO and UNIDROIT, this book offers comparative analysis of legal schemes for the protection or safeguarding of cultural heritage in 15 countries. This is the publication of the reports presented at the First Intersessional Thematic Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law in November 2008.